1st Shaolin Summit & SANA

[GeneChing]

More information coming soon.

[wenshu]

Abbot Shi Yong Xin will be in Los Angeles, CA the weekend of Friday May 20th 2011.

The Los Angeles Shaolin Temple Cultural Center is hosting a banquet in his honor.

If anyone is interested in tickets let me know or contact the STCC.

[GeneChing]

SANA stands for the non-profit Shaolin Association of North America. This event is supported by the Tiger Claw Foundation.

First Shaolin Summit Celebrates 1,500-Year-Old Birthplace of Eastern Martial Arts, Chan (Zen) Buddhism (April 27, 2011)

LOS ANGELES, April 27, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A first-of-its-kind event focusing on China's renowned ancient Shaolin Temple and its 1,500-year-old influence on traditional and popular cultures will be the center of a major summit to be held on Saturday, May 21st at the Los Angeles Convention Center (West Hall) from 1:00 to 5:30 p.m. The first "Shaolin Summit" will celebrate the compelling appeal of Shaolin, the originating source of a substantial portion of Asian martial arts practiced today and birthplace of Chan (Zen) Buddhism. An estimated 200 million people worldwide practice martial arts derived from Shaolin. The event will also feature a rare appearance by Shi Yong Xin, the Abbot of the Shaolin Temple of China. The event is being produced by the non-profit Shaolin Association of North America in association with the Shaolin Temple of China.

Peter Shiao, President of the Shaolin Association of North America and CEO of Orb Media Group, one of the day's sponsors, said the event is expected to draw thousands of followers and enthusiasts of the Shaolin Temple, united in supporting its basic philosophy of bringing compassion and health into the world that empower people through non-sectarian practices.

"We are reaching out to the millions of members of the worldwide Shaolin family in Western territories across the globe. We invite people to be part of Shaolin – our goal is to share greater first-hand understanding and appreciation of the disciplines, practices and ethos of Shaolin in a way that has never been done on a large scale, and to bring together a community that can participate in a myriad of future programs aimed to empower and enlighten our community members," Shiao stated.

Events during the day will include powerful Shaolin Martial Arts/kung fu demonstrations with secret techniques and training tips revealed by authentic Shaolin Warrior Monks; a dialog with the Shaolin Temple's Abbot Shi Yong Xin, along with a preview of his autobiography; and panel discussions on the power of meditation and martial arts, Shaolin's cultural heritage and its influence on popular culture today.

Tickets are $20 per person through May 14th, after which the price will be $25 per person online or at the door. Groups of 10 or more will have a fixed price of $20 per person. A limited number of seats are available, so tickets should be ordered by visiting www.shaolinunited.com or calling 310-358-3136.

In addition to Orb Media Group, event sponsors to date include East West Bank, Kung Fu Magazine and United Studios of Self Defense. For further tax-deductible sponsorship information by corporations, organizations and individuals, contact Robert Wu at 310-358-3187 or Robert@orbmediagroup.com. A similar event is being planned for New York on May 23rd in association with the Asia Society (www.asiasociety.org).

About the Shaolin Temple

The Shaolin Temple of China has persevered through 1,500 years of evolution, affected by invasions, wars and revolutions, dynasties and more. Shaolin became the most famous Buddhist temple in China and grew into a center of philosophy, history, mathematics, martial arts and poetry. Today, Shaolin's powerful influence in these areas is still felt. The Temple is located in the Songshan region of China and has also continued its unbroken cultural and philanthropic initiatives, including work with orphans and other charitable endeavors, large scale performances and demonstrations, preservation and teaching of its core practices in martial arts, health/healing and the arts, and many international cultural and educational initiatives.

Shaolin's reach extends to many areas of global popular culture, having influenced a large body of films and television programs (such as Shaolin Temple, that gave rise to the career of Jet Li, The Last Airbender and Shaolin Soccer, among others), games and lifestyle though kung-fu, fighting choreography, storylines and philosophy. Orb Media Group, as one example, has several entertainment initiatives in development based on Shaolin principles as part of its mission to generate transformative content across multiple media platforms worldwide.

Shaolin Association of North America was formed earlier this year to provide greater access to the institution by students, supporters and enthusiasts, and is composed of key Shaolin affiliated organizations in North America. In addition to the annual Summit, the non-profit entity will provide a touring Speaker Series featuring Shaolin Masters, wellness retreats at the Shaolin Temple, and various educational initiatives aimed at youth and at-risk communities in America.

CONTACT: Craig Parsons for the Shaolin Summit
310.472.7632 or 310.200.4310

[wenshu]

SANA stands for the non-profit Shaolin Association of North America. This event is supported by the Tiger Claw Foundation.

Looks interesting, I wonder how many will attend and if it will be a purely "kempo" type audience or attract a more diverse group of adherents.

[GeneChing]

I have already heard from some non-Kempo Shaolin aficionados who plan to attend. We'll have more to come on this shortly.

BTW, you do realize that this is Judgment Day according for FamilyRadio.com? I've been seeing billboards and posters for this for several months now. What better place to spend the apocalypse than surrounded by Shaolin warrior monks?

[David Jamieson]

Yes, dying together by the wrath of the Christian god, as Buddhists will be an amazing thing! lol

[LFJ]

BTW, you do realize that this is Judgment Day according for FamilyRadio.com? I've been seeing billboards and posters for this for several months now. What better place to spend the apocalypse than surrounded by Shaolin warrior monks?

It is only Judgment Day which will begin the rapture. The end of the world (Forrest Gump voice; "Again" ) won't happen until the 21st of October. So you better plan another gathering!

[GeneChing]

This is a very special offering for our biweekly sweepstakes. Two lucky winners will receive prize packages for the 1st Shaolin Summit at the Los Angeles Convention Center on May 21, 2011. The VIP prize package includes 2 1st Shaolin Summit tickets, 1 autographed book, 1 commemorative shirt & 2 VIP dinner tickets (note that the VIP dinner is invitation only - not open to the public). Enter to win here. Contest ends 6:00 p.m. PST on 05/18/2011. Good luck everyone!

[GeneChing]

I haven't confirmed this yet, but I believe the autographed book will be the new English translation of Shaolin Zai Wo Xin Zhong (Shaolin Temple in My Heart) by Abbot Shi Yongxin.

[GeneChing]

Unfortunately, the file they sent was a huge pdf and didn't convert down very well to meet our 100 mb max for attachments here. I've cut and pasted the info below.

SHAOLIN TEMPLE CULTURAL CENTER
HOSTING GALA EVENT HONORING
THE VENERABLE ABBOT
SHI YONG XIN

• A one-time engagement of spectacular kung fu performances by world-renowned Shaolin warrior monks and disciples.
• An exquisite 8 course vegetarian dinner prepared by Chi Dynasty.
• 4:30 – 6:00 pm Festivities commence at Shaolin Temple Cultural Center in
Temple City 9143 La Rosa Dr. Temple City, CA 91780 (323) 639-3372
• 7:00 – 10:00 pm Welcoming dinner banquet and special performance at:
Shaolin Temple Cultural Center©
WWW.SHAOLINUS.COM WWW.SHAOLIN.ORG.CN© WWW.CHIDYNASTY.COM

Luminaria’s Restaurant
3500 Ramona Blvd.
Monterey Park, CA 91754

Date: Friday , May 20, 2011
VIP TICKETS $ 100 REGULAR ADMISSION $ 50

[GeneChing]

See our Shaolin Summit VIP Prize Package Winners thread.

[Paquet]

The kempo school that cannot be named is taking credit for the event on their website. Is it their event or not?

[GeneChing]

We'll fill you in with a formal report soon, both in print and on our ezine. For now, some teasers.

About 1500+ attended the Summit.

I enjoyed being on the discussion panel "Zen, the Power of the Mind and Martial Arts" - Lucia "Blue Bear" whispered some side comments in my ear.

It was great to meet both wenshu and Mig from the forum here in person.

I ended up sitting between Charles Mattera and Steve DeMasco, across from Richard Black, as they enjoyed a private dinner at the top of the Bonaventure hotel. Mattera generously bought me some drinks and we all enjoyed a delightful conversation.

The SANA project is intriguing. Peter Shiao's organization created an unprecedented platform for the abbot and Shaolin.

The abbot's book is not translated to English yet. More on that on that thread.

facebook photos coming soon!

Tonight is the event in NYC.

[GeneChing]

Shaolin Temple USA Welcomes
• Venerable Abbot Shi Yongxin •
to Shaolin Temple Culture Center in Herndon, VA
Wednesday, May 25, 2011, 5:00 pm

The Venerable Abbot will bless the Center and preach to students and participants. Four Chan Masters who accompany the Abbot will give talks on Chan Buddhism, Shaolin Kung Fu and Shaolin Medicine. The Center’s students and Sifus will present a program of Shaolin Kung Fu.
Open to the Public. Please join us!.
Address: 314 Victory Drive, Herndon, VA 20170.
For more information, please call 571-436-0467

Our photos are coming soon!

[GeneChing]

Here are just a few. There are more on facebook. More coverage to come!